Tom Clarke (born 11 March 1986) is an English multi-instrumentalist known as the lead vocalist of the British indie rock band The Enemy.
Tom Clarke | |
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Background information | |
Born | Birmingham, England | 11 March 1986
Genres | Indie rock, punk rock, alternative rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, strings |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | Warner Music Group, Stiff Records (UK) |
Website | www |
Clarke has performed on all of the band's albums, playing guitar, piano, and strings on We'll Live and Die in These Towns. He appeared as a guest on Noel Fielding's team on the first episode of series 23 of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Personal life
editIn January 2010, Gigwise reported that Clarke had acquired a "ridiculous farm" and was taking a short break from music to decorate. Clarke stated that the band was rehearsing and writing new Enemy material prolifically.[1]
In October 2016, he finished his last Enemy gig by proposing to his unsuspecting girlfriend and tour DJ Kate Frost.[2][3]
Gumball Rally
editIn 2009, Clarke participated in the famous Gumball 3000 Rally, an annual 3,000-mile international road rally that takes place on public roads and features mostly exotic and powerful sports cars. Monster Energy, one of the rally sponsors, awarded Clarke and his co-driver and fellow band member Tom Boddy the 2009 Monster Energy Award for Bad Behaviour.[4]
Race For Heroes
editOn 27 February 2010, Clarke participated in the "Race For Heroes"[5] alongside stars of British motorsport and British soldiers to support the Help For Heroes organization. The six-hour endurance race aimed to raise money and awareness for the charity.[6]
XFM controversy
editIn September 2007, Alex Zane, presenter of the XFM Breakfast show, broadcast a statement declaring that the band would no longer be played on his show. After playing their single "You're Not Alone" for seven seconds, he explained that altercations between himself and the band (notably Tom Clarke) over a television interview had led him to make this decision.[7][8] He claimed that Clarke had said "disgusting, offensive, hateful things." However, during the XFM Review of 2008, presenters Sunta Templeton and Matt Dyson mentioned that the band and Zane had reconciled, just after playing their record "Away from Here."
Equipment
editDuring live performances with The Enemy, Tom Clarke can be seen playing a green Fender Telecaster, equipped with an aftermarket Seymour Duncan bridge pickup.[9][10]
Tom uses a Blackstar Amplification Artist 30 model amplifier and is listed as a confirmed artist by Blackstar.[11] He has also appeared on the official Blackstar Amplification YouTube channel, where he discusses the Studio 10 6L6 model from the same company.[12]
References
edit- ^ "The Enemy's Tom Clarke Takes Break From Music To Work On A Farm". Gigwise.com.
- ^ Hartley, Laura (9 October 2016). "Tom Clarke finishes last Enemy gig by proposing to girlfriend". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "Best Proposal Ever - on stage at The Enemy's last ever gig, lead singer proposes". YouTube. 9 October 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "History of the Gumball «". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Drivers turn out at Daytona to Race for Heroes". Britsonpole.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Daytona Motorsport". Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ "The Enemy vs Alex Zane: read the radio show transcript". NME.com. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
- ^ "Alex Zane Bans The Enemy From Xfm's Breakfast Show – What Really Happened". Xfm.co.uk. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
- ^ Davies, Gareth (1 September 2023). "The Enemy's Tom Clarke: 'There is a trend of young, egotistic narcissists at the BBC'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gig-review-the-enemy-at-o2-academy-sheffield-3858948
- ^ "Artist List". Blackstar. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Blackstar Amplification (24 April 2019). Tom Clarke reacts to the Studio 10 6L6. Retrieved 12 June 2024 – via YouTube.
External links
edit- Gigwise article – Tom Clarke acquires a farm
- Gumball 3000 Rally news – Tom Clarke
- Monster Energy Award for “Bad Behaviour”: Tom Clarke & Tom Boddy of The Enemy – 2009 Jaguar XKR
- Tom Clarke backs art fund – Coventry Telegraph
- The Enemy make personal call to fans Clarke Sustains Hand Injury Riding Motorcycle